Ways to address people in Korean | Mini Korean Lesson

In this mini Korean lesson, I'm going to share some common terms that Koreans use to address other people. You may have heard some of these terms before in Korean dramas or Korean variety programs. 

1. 오빠 (O-ppa)

This term is used by a younger girl to address an older boy. It is used amongst siblings as well as close friends. This term is commonly misused. You do not address anyone older with this term, you sort or have to have a certain level of closeness or "permission" to use this term. 

2. 언니 (Orh-ni)

This term is used by a younger girl to address an older girl. It is used amongst siblings as well as close friends. You would hear this term being used often in girl groups. 

3. 형 (Hyung) 

This term is used by a younger boy to address an older boy. It is used amongst siblings as well as close friends. You would hear this term being used often in boy groups. 

4. 누나 (Noo-na)

This term is used by a younger boy to address an older girl. It is used amongst siblings as well as close friends. 

5. 동생 (Dong-saeng)

This is a general term to address all people younger than you regardless of their gender. It is used amongst siblings as well as close friends. 

6. 친구 (Chin-gu)

This term means 'friend' and it is used to describe people who are the same age as you. In English, you would refer to anyone who isn't related to you as a 'friend' whether they are older or not. But in Korean, it's more common to refer to people of the same age as 'friend' and use the above-mentioned terms if the person is older or younger. 

7. 엄마 (Om-ma) / 어머니 (Orh-morh-ni)

Both terms mean 'mother' but the first term is informal and the second formal. The first term would usually be used to address your own mother as she is close to you. The second term is usually used to address your husband's mother or your friend's mother. 

8. 아빠 (A-ppa) / 아버지 (A-borh-ji)

Both terms mean 'father' with the first term being informal and the second formal. The rule to using these terms is the same as the above (mother). 

9. 아줌마 (A-jum-ma) 

This term means 'aunty'. It's used to address the nice lady working at the restaurant or shop or any other lady that's older than you. You could also address the lady working at restaurants or shops as 이모 (ee-mo). I've heard people using both of these terms. 

10. 아저씨 (A-jorh-ssi) 

This term means 'uncle'. It's used to address the nice restaurant uncle or the taxi driver, etc. 

11. 이모 (I-mo) 

This term also means 'aunty'. It's what you use to address your father's older sister. Some of those 아줌마 prefer to be called this as it's like a term with more respect. I've heard this term being used on Korean variety shows instead of 아줌마 as well. 

12. 할머니 (Hal-morh-ni)

This term is used to address your own grandmother as well as other elderly women you may meet. 

13. 할아버지 (Hal-a-borh-ji)

This term is used to address your own grandfather as well as other elderly men you may meet. 

Hope this mini lesson was useful!